The Union Home Minister has urged all anti-terror agencies to adopt an unrelenting and merciless approach that leaves no room for the birth of new terrorist organisations, with much focus on devising innovative and unconventional strategies to combat terrorism. The statistics presented bear eloquent testimony to the substantial decline in terrorist incidents within Jammu and Kashmir over the past decade. These accomplishments are far from trivial, considering that the nation endured the relentless onslaught of terrorism for nearly four decades. Such remarkable progress did not transpire overnight; rather, it is the product of meticulous planning, unwavering commitment, and resolute leadership. The concerted efforts of anti-terrorism agencies, state police, and entities involved in curbing illicit financial networks, working in harmonious coordination to dismantle terrorist modules over an extended period, have paid rich dividends.
The central leadership has exhibited unwavering resolve in confronting the daunting challenges head-on. In response to the Uri attack, a decisive surgical strike was executed, serving as a fitting rejoinder. When Pakistan attempted its treacherous gambit with the Pulwama terrorist attack, it was met with an immediate, unchallenged counterattack, the Balakote strike. Over more than three years, relentless border skirmishes and retaliatory carpet bombardments by the army inflicted extensive damage on Pakistan’s side, which proved unsustainable. Consequently, the result has been tranquil borders, to the extent that farmers have begun cultivating their fields up to the zero line. From that moment onward, India’s strategy became unequivocal: talks and terrorism cannot coexist. No dossiers after dossiers are served now. The simple guiding principle is this: if provoked, strike at will, wherever and whenever it suits. The strategy on the home front is equally straightforward: no more funding for terror. Individuals affiliated with terrorists, whether in political parties or the Government, will face the scrutiny of investigative agencies. All hawala operators have been ensnared in the legal net, incarcerated, and their illicit assets confiscated. Trade facilitation centres have been shuttered, eliminating hubs for narcotics and arms smuggling. Decades-old terrorist cases have been reopened, and so-called terrorists-turned-politicians find themselves behind bars, undergoing expeditious trials to deliver justice to still-suffering families. Local police forces have been bolstered through the establishment of specialised units like the State Investigating Agency (SIA) in Jammu and Kashmir, which is actively solving terrorist cases. Legal infrastructure has also been fortified, as all cases are vigorously pursued in the courts to ensure the guilty face the consequences.
This approach is underscored by clear political determination, devoid of appeasement policies, with the resolve and will to retaliate. Measures such as border fencing, equipping police forces with state-of-the-art weaponry, targeting financial resources to strangle terror financing, creating international pressure, and fortifying the intelligence network to pre-empt imminent threats and neutralise them before they can inflict harm are ongoing realities. Past challenges, such as the Pakistan March, weekly hartal calendars, terrorists striking at will, stone-pelting, or any attacks, are now relegated to history. Even overground workers are pursued relentlessly and held accountable. Government employees with separatist agendas are being terminated. Article 370 had been abrogated without a single shot being fired, and there was no outcry. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are enjoying the benefits of democracy, with all three tiers of Panchayati Raj in place, bringing about socio-economic improvements for society. UT is on a path of unprecedented development. Approximately two crore tourists have visited Jammu and Kashmir, a testament to the liberation from the grip of terrorism.
All credit goes to the Government, which, with unwavering determination, devised counterstrategies to thwart Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and corner Pakistan on the international stage. Significant strides have been made in the past few years, but there is always room for improvement, and the Government is well aware that the guard cannot be lowered. Proactive strategies remain imperative, with consistency as the central focus.
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